tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956Fri, 30 Jan 2015 21:55:27 +000014th StreetU streetrestaurantscrimeANC 2FdevelopmentrestaurantU St.MPDShawLoganMetroshoppingANC 1BDupont Circlearts overlayliquor licenseABRAANC2bHolidaysDDOTP StreettransitDupontHomeless11th StreetJim GrahamO Street Marketartlogan circlegarden districtjbgsnowzoningCorkDC CouncilMetro busR Streetcommunity activisimconstructionparking enforcementstreet sweepingarts overlay committeebarscork and forkestadiovoluntary agreementswine17th StreetANCBen's Chili BowlCDCColumbia HeightsFentyPolicybarcondodpwtraffic9th StreetANC 2F voluntary agreementsBorderstanMid-City Business AssociationStreetscapeVerandaanc2fcab meterscapital bikesharecity councilcoffe shopdog daysfurnituremidcity arts districtsaint-exwhole foodsBlack CatJack EvansT streetThe Spacecharitychurchkeydog parksfirehank's oyster barhotelitalian cinemamasa 14peregrine espressopublic safetyretailvacationvince grayward 2weather14wACKCDCDC loveDyerPN hoffman14th & Youhttp://14thandyou.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (14th & You)Blogger567125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-2708311538695935658Wed, 26 Sep 2012 03:15:00 +00002012-09-25T23:16:37.357-04:00When one blog closes......another opens.<br /><br />This is it for updates on 14th&amp;You folks, unless the Mrs. and I happen to relocate near to this blog's eponymous intersection at some point in the future. Barring that unlikely event, we're considering this blog finito. But we're starting a new adventure: visit us in Montgomery County at our new online home, <a href="http://northflintville.blogspot.com/">North FlintVille</a>. Who knows, you just might learn something!<br /><br />Anyway, we hope to see you around.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />Mr. and Mrs. 14thandyou<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2012/09/when-one-blog-closes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-5338439469217853965Fri, 14 Sep 2012 02:12:00 +00002012-09-13T22:15:57.974-04:00Suburban Town Centers: Friend or Faux? <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JOp19yJn44E/UFKPZEAatJI/AAAAAAAAArM/xv4j0V_mGmY/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JOp19yJn44E/UFKPZEAatJI/AAAAAAAAArM/xv4j0V_mGmY/s400/photo-1.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />It's 7:00 PM on a Monday evening, and I'm sitting in a chair in the middle of Rockville's "Town Square," situated along a few blocks just east of Rockville Pike and across the street from the Rockville Metro station. A father, his daughter and their dog play on the faux lawn at the center of the square, while a fountain spews water up from the ground behind me. The fountain is situated in front of a performance stage where, several nights a week, musical performances take place. The square hosts a farmer's market on Saturdays that is very popular in the community. Surrounding the square, and branching out along streets in every direction, is a dense cluster of restaurants, bars, shops and galleries, with new ones opening seemingly every week. (Both <a href="http://rockvilletownsquare.com/restaurants-and-cafes/american-tap-room">American Tap Room</a> and <a href="http://rockville.patch.com/articles/rockville-town-square-grocery-to-open-sept-29">Dawson's Market</a>, an upscale grocery store from Ellwood Thompson, are set to open here next month.) A new library sits at a prominent corner in the neighborhood. And above it all are thousands of residents who are seeking the suburban life without forsaking the conveniences--or feel--of city living. Perhaps most surprising of all, there are people walking about in what once was a deader-than-a-doornail suburban government center off of a strip mall-dominated suburban highway. It's a scene that was difficult to imagine as recently as five years ago.<br /><br />Has Georgetown come to Rockville?<br /><br />&nbsp;It's a question posed by Washington Post reporter Jonathan O'Connell <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/can-city-life-be-exported-to-the-suburbs/2012/09/07/32096cf0-e558-11e1-936a-b801f1abab19_story.html">in his recent piece for the Post's Outlook section</a>. O'Connell looks at the spurt of "town center"-type developments that have sprung up across the region and the country over the past 15 years and asks whether developers have been successful in exporting city life to the suburbs.<br /><br />&nbsp;As a transplanted city dweller who has found himself in the middle of that most suburban of suburbs, Rockville/North Bethesda/White Flint, it's a question I've pondered myself over the last year or so. After all, our immediate neighborhood is Ground Zero for Montgomery County's efforts to "urbanize" the stretch of Rockville Pike around the White Flint Metro Station. It's a neighborhood that, until very recently, was home mainly to an indoor shopping mall, row after row of nondescript strip malls, car dealerships and gas stations. However, with the opening last year of the first phase of the <a href="http://northbethesdamarket.com/">North Bethesda Market project</a>, and several mega-developments <a href="http://www.pikeandrose.com/">currently</a> <a href="http://northbethesdacenter.com/">under construction</a> or <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/12981/new-skyscraper-will-raise-the-roof-on-white-flint/">about to</a> <a href="http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2010/11/nobe-gateway-white-flint-blowin-up.html">break ground</a>, Montgomery County is banking heavily on the "town center" model to attract and retain the young professionals and families that have found places like Bethesda, Silver Spring and Virginia's Orange Line corridor more attractive options. The term "urban" gets thrown around a lot by both developers and city officials when describing these developments.<br /><br />But are these places really "urban"? <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-me3ipcDV3J0/UFKPhjgIgiI/AAAAAAAAArY/HK49utrxqi4/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-me3ipcDV3J0/UFKPhjgIgiI/AAAAAAAAArY/HK49utrxqi4/s400/photo.JPG" width="299" /></a><br />The scene I described in the opening paragraph above certainly sounds urban: people, shops and restaurants, density, community. So why do critics, as O'Connell notes, assail suburban town centers as soulless faux-cities, "no more real cities than Disney World's fairy-tale fiberglass-and-concrete showpiece is a real castle?"<br /><br />A big part of it, I would argue, comes from where they are situated. Let's consider a neighborhood like Dupont Circle, a description of which wouldn't sound wholly far off from the scene I described above. What makes Dupont "feel" different than Rockville Town Center? There are obvious things like the age of the buildings, which predate those in central Rockville by a hundred years or more. The buildings have a history: what is now an upscale wine bar may at one time have been a mens clothing store that sold Duke Ellington his first suit, or a People's Drug. And there is the make-up of the crowd itself, which is something O'Connell gets into a bit. The people are more diverse, and the eccentricities are more pronounced. Dupont, and other urban neighborhoods, aren't quite so manicured; they look more "authentic." But do people really hop on the Metro in Rockville for a night out in Dupont primarily because they may see a woman with a tattoo?<br /><br />&nbsp;The problem with "town center" developments, as I see it, isn't the town centers themselves--it's what's around them. They don't feel like part of a cohesive urban fabric, and they don't mesh with their surroundings. They are the place one goes to feel like you've entered a city, before hopping back in your car and driving home somewhere that doesn't feel like that at all. They feel contrived because they exist apart from everything around them--like building an opulent Victorian mansion in the middle of a Toll Brothers community of by-the-numbers single family homes. When you're in Logan, or H Street, or Columbia Heights, or Dupont, there is a feeling of connected-ness, to go along with a volume of people and an energy and vibrancy that the sometimes admittedly-sterile "town centers" have difficulty delivering. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cr9GFevjNv0/UFKRCJN-oyI/AAAAAAAAArk/lACvpsWCn7Y/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cr9GFevjNv0/UFKRCJN-oyI/AAAAAAAAArk/lACvpsWCn7Y/s400/photo-2.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />I drove up to Rockville Town Center this evening, which is situated several miles north of our White Flint home. I drove on a six-lane divided highway past countless strip malls, car dealerships and gas stations. I drove past a golf course, and a self-storage facility. I drove past stretches of road where the sidewalk was barely visible, and through intersections that even the most hardy of pedestrians fear to cross. Forget bike lanes; cyclists on the Pike are as rare as speakeasy cocktail lounges up here. And then, seemingly out of nowhere, I entered Rockville's own urban utopia, the Rockville Town Center, meant to show that central DC doesn't have a monopoly on enticing, dense urbanity. It doesn't help that the "town center" itself is not focused on or geared towards the area's main thoroughfare, Rockville Pike, making it feel even more cut-off.<br /><br />&nbsp;Of course the juxtaposition was jarring.<br /><br />But it's not necessarily an indictment of the town center itself. As it happens, I think Rockville Town Center, and others like it, are several tremendous steps in the right direction for suburban development. What's bad about building pedestrian-focused, dense, vibrant, walkable communities? Particularly ones directly across the street from Metro stations? Not much, I'd argue. There is a reason town centers are popular: they deliver a slice of what people say they want. And judging by their commercial success, the people do indeed want it. And clustering people, services and amenities near each other and near transit hubs makes tremendous sense. And yet, something feels missing.<br /><br />&nbsp;Dan Reed, who runs the Just Up the Pike blog, <a href="http://twitter.com/justupthepike/status/244938437810065410">tweeted</a>: "Calling new suburban town centers "fake" is lazy. Everything was new once! If done well, they'll get better with time." I agree with this, but I'd go a step further: not only will these town center developments likely improve with age, but as more suburban developers latch on to the "town center" model, I'd argue that these bastions of supposedly faux-urbanity will begin to feel slightly less "faux" and slightly more "legitimate". Consider what close-in suburbs such as Arlington and Bethesda have been able to achieve along their commercial corridors, and imagine that spread out among father-afield locales such as Rockville and Reston. That, to me, is the future of suburban development. It may not feel particularly "real" to someone used to bar-hopping along Barrack's Row or Adams Morgan, but there was a time when those places were new, too. Just give it some time. <div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2012/09/suburban-town-centers-friend-or-faux.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-8472470210877431735Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:10:00 +00002012-06-01T13:10:40.752-04:00A Dispatch From the MoCo HinterlandsOver the last nine months or so since Mrs. 14thandyou and I packed up our belongings and decamped from <a href="http://realestate.msn.com/9-great-neighborhoods-for-childless-adults">one of the nation's top neighborhoods</a> for childless adults to, as WCP scribe Alex Baca once tweeted "some place called North Bethesda," we've been getting the occasional email and comment asking us what life has been like for us in the land of the strip mall: <i>Have we forgotten how to walk? What does a front lawn look like? And are we suffering from a lack of small plate restaurants serving modern adaptations of casual comfort food? </i><br /><br />To that last question, the answer is yes. Sadly, small plates haven't so much found their way up to this section of Rockville Pike that, given the number of names people have given it (North Bethesda, South Rockville, White Flint, That Place With the Mall Where They Drive the Choo-Choo Train Around), seems to be suffering from a bit of an identity crisis. But to other questions regarding our general well-being, I'm pleased to report that we're getting along quite well. <br /><br />First, it should be noted that, despite the tremendous differences in character between the Logan/U Street area and our current neighborhood, many aspects of our lives really haven't changed all that drastically. We're a 10 minute walk from the White Flint Metro station--a place within walking distance to a Metro station being my primary requirement when we moved--so although my commute to my Dupont Circle employer is (considerably) longer, it remains car-free and mostly predictable. We're also well-served by several bus lines just steps from our front door, which gives me a somewhat lazy alternative to schlepping across the strip mall parking lot and gravel-strewn sidewalks of Rockville Pike. <br /><br />Mrs. 14thandyou still drives to her place of employment (transit not being an option for her), although her commute time has plummeted by about 2/3 of what it was before. We also have considerably more space than we could have afforded in any neighborhoods in DC that wouldn't have made the daily commute a living hell for Mrs. 14thandyou, making our day-to-day lives more enjoyable. Our third floor deck that overlooks a nicely landscaped courtyard is also a pleasant place to enjoy a beer and hang out with the cat. And although our home is adjacent to one of the region's busiest thoroughfares and commercial corridors, it is a remarkably quiet place, which is something we have increasingly come to appreciate. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nUL3t2fx_GQ/T8j1DFLI1uI/AAAAAAAAAqg/kNfT7Z53m58/s1600/Spike_on_deck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nUL3t2fx_GQ/T8j1DFLI1uI/AAAAAAAAAqg/kNfT7Z53m58/s400/Spike_on_deck.JPG" width="299" /></a><br />Food and entertainment is a mixed-bag. The nightlife, it must be said, is wholly inadequate, but whether replacing the likes of Masa 14, Estadio and Bar Bilar with Joe's Noodles, Yekta Kabobi and Ambrosia Greek Diner is an overall step down is certainly up for debate. There is something to be said for an abundance of cheap, casual, flavorful ethnic restaurants, which our new neighborhood has in droves. We have not one, but two Jewish bagelrys within a short walk of our home--something that, at least according to most PoP commenters, many in central DC would sell their firstborn (or, as it were, their first dog) for. Tucked away in seemingly every forlorn-looking strip mall is a market, restaurant or store that merits attention. Nine months in, and we still haven't come close to trying all of the new places up here. And it is nice to be able to drop $20 on a meal, rather than simply on your appetizer or first round of drinks. Still, on that occasion when we're looking for a place to sit back and sip a couple of pints, it's basically Matchbox, Gilly's or Ruby Tuesday's for us. Admittedly not the most exciting options. (There is also the notorious Dietl's, which satisfies my occasional urge to drink watery canned beer.) <br /><br />As to our physical environment, there's no question that we traded aesthetic beauty and urban vitality for a neighborhood that has substantially less of both. Gone are the stunning, ornamented Victorians of Logan and Dupont, replaced by architecturally bland and uninspired apartments, townhomes and shopping centers that represent the architectural dark ages of the 60s-80s. The streets have little life or energy, storefronts are set back hundreds of feet from the sidewalks and roadways, and to state that the car remains king here would so obvious an observation so as to not warrant a mention. Indeed, some of the pedestrian infrastructure is so poorly designed that it can only be described as either tremendously ill-planned or downright hostile. <br /><br />As but one example, consider the case of the parking lot located at Montrose and Rockville Pike, which was (ostensibly) built to encourage individuals to park their vehicles and walk to the Metro or nearby businesses. Except, <i>there is no sidewalk or other pedestrian access that connects the parking lot to the sidewalk on Rockville Pike</i>. Pedestrians, myself included, have instead created a so-called "desire path" (pictured below) where a sidewalk should be. This makes no sense, and the neighborhood is littered with these poorly thought-out examples of pedestrian hosility. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i15Af8CBUO8/T8j1pu9oFZI/AAAAAAAAAqs/jzvVXqGLKLc/s1600/desire_path.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i15Af8CBUO8/T8j1pu9oFZI/AAAAAAAAAqs/jzvVXqGLKLc/s400/desire_path.JPG" width="299" /></a><br />And despite Capital Bikeshare's plans to expand the system into Montgomery County, a ride along Rockville Pike is such a harrowing and frightful thought that I can't envision myself doing it, in spite of years spent biking throughout central DC. Helmet or no, it strikes me as particularly unpleasant for a number of reasons. More on that will likely come in a future post. <br /><br />And yet, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that an environment that appears on its face to be quite sterile still has its charms. The nearby Montrose Parkway, with its wide jogging and biking path that leads into Tilden Stream Park is quite enjoyable, as are a number of MoCo's fantastic nearby parks. And as pedestrian unfriendly as the neighborhood may appear, our walkscore of 82 and abundance of nearby businesses does make the neighborhood more approachable on foot than many more "typical" suburban enclaves. <br /><br /><strong>So, what to make of all this?</strong> It would be untrue for me to state that there aren't things I enjoy about our new neigborhood--indeed, that there aren't things I enjoy *more* about our new neighborhood than the one we lived in before. I touched on several of them above. And Mrs. 14thandyou and I have established some patterns and rituals that we've come to greatly enjoy. Spend a Saturday morning with us sipping coffee and eating freshly baked scones while wandering Kensington's antique market and you'd get part of the picture. <br /><br />But the thing I miss the most about living where we did before is the loss of a sense of community. Dense, people-packed neighborhoods, through various means, encourage--and in some ways force--one to interact with ones neighbors. Whether through my writings on this blog, meeting with local business owners, running into familiar people on the street and in local parks, or sitting in on the local ANC meeting, the fact is that I got to know a lot of people while living in DC. Many I consider friends, and even those who are merely acquaintences helped me to establish a connection with my old neighborhood that I have found to establish in my new one. <br /><br />For all of the talk of DC being a rather unfriendly place where everyone is career-driven, I found the opposite story to be true. It's not that people hin our new neighborhood are unfriendly--it's that we simply don't interact with each other. There is a noticeably different mindset and approach to living in a suburban neighborhood--even one that is relatively dense (<a href="http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2012/02/mid-pike-plaza-warmly-received-by-moco.html">and about to become much denser</a>) by suburban standards--than living in a Logan Circle, Shaw, Columbia Heights or any one of DC's numerous hoods. It's true that we haven't found ourselves engaging in local politics and community affairs nearly to the extent that we did while living in DC. Part of that is time demands, but part of that is a lack thus far is establishing a real connection or sense of ownership of where we live to help us get to the point where we want to participate in such things. I had that when we lived in Logan; I haven't yet found it here. <br /><br />Perhaps we will get there, and a year from now I will feel differently and will be running for a seat on the Western Montgomery Council Citizen's Advisory Board. And when people ask me how two ex-urbanites are getting along up in the MoCo hinterlands, the answer is: we're doing fine, but there are certainly things we miss. The bars, nightclubs, restaurants, galleries, parks and other physical attributes are lacking but in many ways replaced; however, the human and emotional connection we had with our previous home hasn't been. And perhaps that is the true loss of suburban living.<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2012/06/dispatch-from-moco-hinterlands.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-6214887318545023503Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:25:00 +00002011-09-22T12:25:15.284-04:00farewellAdios, Amigos...For NowSince we've received some questions about the lack of updates to the blog (because goodness knows there has been plenty going on around the neighborhood to keep updated on), we wanted to share a bit of bittersweet news to explain the lack of new posts.<br /><br />In short: no, we weren't kidnapped, we just moved. A couple of weeks ago, the 14thandyous packed up and moved north to Montgomery County. And before we get the questions, yes, we are well-aware of the juxtapositions between a neighborhood like Logan and our new suburban stomping grounds. We have a number of reasons for making the move (and no, mom and dad, a forthcoming little 14thandyou is NOT among them), but thus far the move hasn't been as painful as we initially expected it to be. Being within walking distance to a Metro station helps, as does our proximity to two bagel shops and some fantastic Chinese food. (<a href="http://scpavilion.com/">Sichuan Pavillion</a>, anyone?)<br /><br />But I digress.<br /><br />We've certainly had a lot of fun on here over the past four years. When we started the blog back in 2007, there were surprisingly few bloggers covering all the issues, developments and day-to-day life around 14th Street and Logan Circle. I don't know how much we succeeded in that, but it was certainly enjoyable and rewarding--and we got to meet many wonderful, engaging people in the process, many of whom I consider friends today. And today, there are terrific blogs like <a href="http://www.borderstan.com/">Borderstan</a>, <a href="http://ustreetgirl.wordpress.com/">U Street Girl</a> and <a href="http://ustreetdirt.wordpress.com/">U Street Dirt </a>that are providing all of the neighborhood news, analysis and snark one could hope for.<br /><br />As for this blog, we'll keep it up for the time being. I've given thought to continuing to post here from time to time, to offer some perspectives on our new home as compared to a place like Logan, as well as to share some thoughts about the ongoing changes and developments occuring in our old neighborhood. (Just 'cause we don't live there anymore doesn't mean we stopped paying attention...) And we hope to move back to the city someday; both Mr. and Mrs. 14thandyou enjoy the trappings of urban life far too much to permanently replace it with picket fences, two-car garages and cul-de-sacs. So who knows where things will lead?<br /><br />But for now, we're considering this blog on extended hiatus. Thanks to all of the followers, commenters, fellow bloggers, community activists, business owners, neighbors, developers and others who made this such a fun hobby for us over the past few years. So, till we meet again...<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/adios-amigosfor-now.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-4418597273339159939Thu, 25 Aug 2011 23:19:00 +00002011-08-26T00:14:02.465-04:00You down with RPP?(Yes, we're all about the puns here. And perhaps the earthquake added to my naturally loopy nature.)
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<br />Readers, prepare yourselves for a Mrs. 14th &amp; You rant. Having recently celebrated my eight-year Logan Circle anniversary, here are my long-marinating thoughts on our dysfunctional parking system.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Residential parking restrictions protect parking at times when it least needs protecting.</span>
<br />Residential parking restrictions presumably function to preserve parking for residents. In most neighborhoods (including ours), these restrictions exist only during the business day. During regular business hours, most employed DC residents have either left their cars parked near home or driven their cars to work. In neither case do residents need the protection that residential parking restrictions provide. <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Yet, during times when floods of out-of-ward drivers do park on residential streets, there are no parking restrictions. The most frequent challenges are created by out-of-ward and out-of-state restaurant, bar, and club patrons. (I always kick myself for working late on Thursday and Friday nights only to end my day by fighting for parking.) Other challenges to residential parking, such as weekend shopping or religious services, also typically fall outside of the days and times when residential parking restrictions are in effect.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">RPP is ward-based.</span>
<br />With my RPP I can park in any legal street space in Ward 2 for an unlimited length of time. Indeed, I have used residential parking in Georgetown, and I once left my car in Kalorama for a few days following a breakdown. Not only may residents of other Ward 2 neighborhoods dish it right back by parking in Logan Circle, Ward 1 residents can also park in much of Logan: Parking within a few blocks of the ward boundaries at S and 11th Streets NW is zoned for both 1 and 2 permit holders. Such flexibility in parking takes the “residential” out of RPP.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Evening enforcement is lacking.</span>
<br />In Logan Circle residential parking restrictions are in place until 8:30 p.m. on weeknights. A casual stroll around 14<sup>th</sup> or U Streets early on a Thursday or Friday evening will reveal plenty of Maryland and Virginia license plates as well asa lot of out-of-ward registration stickers on vehicles parked well before 6:30. And why not take the risk of parking illegally on a residential street? Presence of parking enforcement officers on residential streets is exceedingly rare after 8:30 p.m. Besides, if one is ticketed, the cost is not prohibitive; it’s comparable to two evenings of paid parking in one of the lots along 14<sup>th</sup> and U Streets. As well, with all sorts of lore about whether or not parking fines follow one across state lines, some out-of-state drivers feel free to ignore non-moving violations.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">RPP creates hassles for residents. </span>
<br />Though evening enforcement may be rare, daytime parking enforcement is efficient. Though it is not very common, I do sometimes have weekday daytime guests who drive to my home. They range from out-of-state family members coming to visit to contractors making repairs to our apartment. In such instances, I hate having to think about parking on behalf on my guests. It’s particularly crummy when my husband or I are taking time from work to see friends or family. Are we really going to use this time to go the police station to get a visitor’s parking permit? No. Are we still going to be bummed out if our loved ones are fined? Yes. On one particularly memorable day, my mother drove from Woodbridge to care for me after a surgery. I wasn’t really feeling like accompanying her to the police station to get a parking permit, nor did I really want her to go home after two hours, but a $25 ticket also seemed like a bad option. We ended up just rolling the dice on that one.
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<br />[Edit: In an earlier draft I stated that one needed a valid vehicle registration in order to obtain a visitor permit. While cleaning up some gnarly HTML gone wrong, I double-checked that. My eyes had skipped the words "one of" prior the the list of documents accepted as proof of DC residency.]
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Issuing RPPs creates an expectation of parking availability.</span>
<br />When one has paid extra money at the time of registration for the privilege of parking on residential streets near his home, it implies that one be able to park on those streets. This is particularly true since the entire purpose of RPPs is to “<a href="http://app.ddot.dc.gov/services_dsf/rpp/index.asp?ddotNav=%7C32399%7C">increase access to on-street parking for residents in their neighborhoods</a>”. The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%28http://ddot.dc.gov/DC/DDOT/On+Your+Street/Traffic+Management/Parking/Residential+Permit+Parking+Brochure">RPP brochure available online</a> states further:
<br />Our neighborhoods are the city’s greatest asset. That is why we developed the Residential Parking Permit (RPP) to help protect them. In the mid-1970s citizens were concerned about the increasing number of out-of-state cars parked on residential streets. Residents could not park on their own block. Commuters were turning our neighborhoods into parking lots. I would argue that it’s no longer commuters turning neighborhoods into parking lots, but the residents themselves. I also imagine that many RPP holders have given up on the 1970s dream of guaranteed parking on their own block. (I have.)
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<br />I ran a quick test of parking availability on my block and the four contiguous blocks. I estimate that there are about 0.67 parking spaces per existing household.* The current rate of parking availability is probably about right, particularly considering the number of condos with off-street parking. Yet, with residential density increasing within a two-block radius, parking will likely get tighter, even if vehicle ownership rates decrease.I make this point because <a href="http://www.thegeorgetowndish.com/thedish/glover-park-anc-tackles-parking-issues">DDOT is working with Glover Park residents to ease parking congestion in their neighborhood</a>. The blunt instrument that seems most favored by residents is increasing restrictions on out-of-neighborhood vehicles. As Glover Park households are quite affluent and probably more likely to have children than Logan Circle households, their rates of car ownership are probably higher than our neighborhood's. Yet, Glover Park does not enjoy the same level of access to CaBi and Metro as we do, so I don't foresee anyone dumping those cars anytime soon. I don't think this story has a happy ending.
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">It's time to create a new system.</span>
<br />If we're going to insist on keeping RPPs, then I wish that DDOT and the DMV would take steps the make it more likely that the residents with RPP stickers can get parking. We'd need to look the the hours that the restrictions are in place and at the ways we enforce the restrictions. If spaces are tight, maybe residents who own off-street parking wouldn't be issued RPP stickers for their vehicles or would be limited in the number of vehicles per household that could get an RPP sticker. If residents would rather not have such restrictions put on vehicle ownership or where they can park, then I'd argue we need to consider going the other direction -- eliminating RPP altogether. After all, for as little good as it does in keeping parking spaces available for the few of us who drive during the weekdays, it causes some headaches.
<br />
<br />*Admittedly, this is a rough estimate: I measured the block lengths using Google maps, subtracted alley entrances, parking meters, hydrants, and the areas near intersections to obtain the parkable street lengths (using both sides of the street, of course). I then divided that distance by 13.5 feet, my estimate of an “average” parking space. To count the number of households, I consulted the real property database. </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/08/you-down-with-rpp.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (14th & You)18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-3246429885330132860Fri, 05 Aug 2011 13:46:00 +00002011-08-05T09:47:55.843-04:00crimeDupont CircleMPDMPD enforcement priority: Dupont Circle jaywalking?Snapped this photo this morning of an MPD officer writing jaywalking tickets to pedestrians crossing against the light at Dupont Circle and New Hampshire Ave. During the 45-or-so seconds I stood there, I witnessed the officer write no fewer than four tickets to unsuspecting jaywalkers. (Not to worry: this blogger escaped the wrath of the vigilant MPD officer by crossing legally.)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_-8lohRw17A/Tjv0g5iEv-I/AAAAAAAAAo8/eb13Q4GD4ek/s1600/biking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="299" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_-8lohRw17A/Tjv0g5iEv-I/AAAAAAAAAo8/eb13Q4GD4ek/s400/biking.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Periodically, it seems that <a href="http://dcist.com/2007/03/26/dont_say_we_did.php">MPD goes on a jaywalking ticket spree</a>, posting officers at "high incident" intersections and generating some serious revenue for the city in the form of $20 tickets. But it does beg the question: is this part of a larger effort to clamp down on "minor" crimes like jaywalking throughout the city, or is this nothing more than a one-day spurt that will bring in a few thousand dollars to the city's coffers and annoy a number of pedestrians--most of whom will go right back to jaywalking on Monday morning, when the MPD officer is gone?<br /><br />This isn't to completely excuse jaywalkers, but one does have to wonder what ends are being achieved by haphazardly ticketing a handful of pedestrians one or two days a year in a location where tens of thousands of people jaywalk every day? This episode also brought to mind the time several years ago when <a href="http://dcist.com/2008/07/cops_ticket_cyclists_at_new_hampshi.php">MPD officers started ticketing bicyclists </a>who were riding the wrong way on New Hampshire Ave., just south of 16th Street. of course, <a href="http://dcist.com/2010/08/new_contraflow_bike_lanes_installed.php#photo-1">we know how that ended</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/08/mpd-enforcement-priority-dupont-circle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-7221943565407123757Sun, 31 Jul 2011 18:24:00 +00002011-07-31T14:24:07.621-04:0014th Streetabdo developmentjbgrhode island avenueU streetutopiaAbdo to build apartments on vacant Logan Circle site; McDonalds and ChiDogO to return @ 14th and U<a href="http://dc.urbanturf.com/pipeline/134/Abdo_14th__Rhode_Island_Avenue/">DC Urban Turf </a>and <a href="http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2011/07/abdo-to-build-out-vacant-logan-circle.html">DC Mud</a> report that local developer Jim Abdo is seeking to construct an apartment building on one of the last remaining vacant parcels in Logan Circle. The developer is seeking to construct 70 apartment units at 1427 Rhode Island Ave. NW, along with an underground parking garage.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2FcoOTGpwU/TjWdGKJrTSI/AAAAAAAAAoU/cgNXlbQ_WJI/s1600/Picture%2B1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="304" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2FcoOTGpwU/TjWdGKJrTSI/AAAAAAAAAoU/cgNXlbQ_WJI/s400/Picture%2B1.png" /></a><br /><br />Why is the site vacant, you ask? <a href="http://abdo.com/">Abdo</a> acquired the property, along with the adjacent lots, in 2001. The adjacent lots have since been redevelped, while the currently vacant lot housed two 19th century romanesque townhouses. Abdo's team originally removed the roof from the townhomes after they were found to be hazardous; in 2007, the entire structures were demolished.<br /><br />According to DC Mud: "<i>Design of the building will mirror the adjacent buildings, designed by William Harris in 1929 and 1930. The new addition will add "a classical tripartite organization, with a two-story stone base, a five-story midsection clad in brick, and a brick attic story with a cornice." Abdo Development is seeking a zoning variance for reduced parking, and will share the existing driveway to a planned underground garage.</i>"<br /><br />The project has received the support of the Historic Preservation Office, but must still receive approvals from both HPRB and BZA.<br /><br />* * * * * *<br /><br />In other development-related news, as <a href="http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/07/utopia-project-set-to-get-going-as.html">reported here</a> and in the <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/2011/07/jbg-plans-fourth-quarter-start-at-14th.html">Business Journal</a> reported last week, JBG Cos. and Georgetown Strategic Capital announced plans to commence work on the unnamed project formerly dubbed the "Utopia Project" in the 4th quarter of 2011.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F3vAq5w2Xy4/TjWduvhYYgI/AAAAAAAAAoc/SxEb05g_BNE/s1600/Picture%2B3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="148" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F3vAq5w2Xy4/TjWduvhYYgI/AAAAAAAAAoc/SxEb05g_BNE/s400/Picture%2B3.png" /></a><br /><br />According to JBG, at least two tenants for the project are already known: McDonalds will return at its 14th and U location becaus eit has a longterm lease there, and recnet arrival ChiDogO will return as well. In addition, the developer also announced that they would work to retain as many of the existing tenants along the U Street-side of the project as possible. These tenants, which inhabit the series of rowhouses that will be preserved and incorporated into the project, include Coppi's Organic, DC Noodles and restaurant and jazz lounge Utopia. <br /><br />The massive project will rise nine stories above the 14th and U intersection and include 267 apartment units.<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/07/abdo-to-build-apartments-on-vacant.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-184092364768584147Sun, 31 Jul 2011 17:05:00 +00002011-07-31T13:05:02.331-04:0014th Streetartgallery plan b"Local Color" at Gallery Plan BThis past thursdy, July 28, <a href="http://www.galleryplanb.com">Gallery Plan B</a> opened their most recent show, "Local Color," which features works from a number of artists in and around the Logan Circle, Shaw and Dupont Circle neighborhoods.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsqVAs0eVtg/TjWK7eFQsiI/AAAAAAAAAoE/jI6Pt6lkBBA/s1600/Picture%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="358" width="399" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsqVAs0eVtg/TjWK7eFQsiI/AAAAAAAAAoE/jI6Pt6lkBBA/s400/Picture%2B2.png" /></a><br /><br />The show features works in various media depicting scenes of local DC neighborhoods by<b> Chad Andrews, Michael Crossett, Ron Donoughe, Charlie Gaynor, Isabella Spicer, David Ballinger, David Kalamar, Joey Manlapaz, Luis Gomez, Steven Stichter</b> and more.<br /><br />The 14thandyous attended the opening party on Thursday (invited by fellow blogger and area photographer Luis Gomez, of <a href="http://www.onephotographaday.com">One Photograph a Day</a> and <a href="http://www.borderstan.com/">Borderstan</a>), and came away thinking that it was one of the best exhibitions put on by a local gallery in some time. Of particular note were Gomez's stark photographs, the mixed-media collages of <a href="http://www.galleryplanb.com/artists/michael-crossett/artist.html">Crossett</a>, and <a href="http://www.galleryplanb.com/artists/david-ballinger/artist.html">Ballinger's</a> negative prints.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDHkW2pPzHc/TjWLLFW0baI/AAAAAAAAAoM/S2mRuIvFSlE/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="299" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDHkW2pPzHc/TjWLLFW0baI/AAAAAAAAAoM/S2mRuIvFSlE/s400/photo-2.JPG" /></a><br /><br />All artists featured unique and interesting perspectives of day-to-day life in central DC--buildings, houses, people and intersections. (Don't miss Crossett's "Wonder Collage," which captures in an erratic and disjointed way the beauty of Shaw's abandoned Wonderbread Factory. Catch it now before Douglas Jemal finally makes good on his <a href="http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2010/09/24/latest-jemal-plan-for-wonder-bread-factory-apartments/">threat to redevelop the property</a>.)<br /><br />The show will be up until August 28 at Gallery Plan B, 1530 14th Street NW. For more information, check out Gallery Plan B's website at <a href="http://www.galleryplanb.com">galleryplanb.com</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/07/local-color-at-gallery-plan-b.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-2887465400538476335Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:31:00 +00002011-07-26T15:31:21.346-04:00movie seriesU streetTonight: U Street Movie Series Continues with "930 F Street"With the temperature a practically balmy 92 degrees (hey, it's better than 102), it seems like a great night to head out to catch the next installment of the U Street outdoor movie series.<br /><br />Tonight's feature is "<a href="http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809812880/info">930 F Street</a>," the 2004 movie about our neighborhood's own 930 Club (the title, of course, pays homage to the club's original downtown location). The feature will be preceeded by "<a href="http://vimeo.com/16146200">Howard Theater: A Century in Song</a>."<br /><br />For more information about the U Street Movie Series, check out <a href="http://movies.ustreet-dc.org/">movies.ustreet-dc.org</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/07/tonight-u-street-movie-series-continues.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-3316562988742925493Fri, 22 Jul 2011 03:18:00 +00002011-07-21T23:18:18.300-04:0014th Streetdevelopmentdistrict condosjbglevel2 developmentU streetutopiaUtopia project set to get going as businesses, Freemasons move outLast week, we snapped the photo below of employees from local Tex-Mex restaurant El Paraiso packing up their belongings for greener pastures. (In this case, their sister restaurant<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-paraiso-ii-restaurant-alexandria">, El Paraiso II in Alexandria</a>.)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-szREr7cKkO0/TijqBgK9v-I/AAAAAAAAAns/ZoXOCc4zgtw/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="299" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-szREr7cKkO0/TijqBgK9v-I/AAAAAAAAAns/ZoXOCc4zgtw/s400/photo.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Soon after, the <a href="http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2011/07/18/say-goodbye-to-the-14th-street-freemasons/">City Paper's Lydia DePillis</a> reported on the sale of the United Supreme Council National Headquarters and Archioves building, located next door to El Paraiso at 1924 14th Street NW, to JBG for $5 million. With the recent exodus of the fast food restaurants further up the block, that moves things a step closer for JBG's groundbreaking of the <a href="http://dc.urbanturf.com/pipeline/103/Utopia/">Utopia project</a>, which is anticipated this fall.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-heQOYcByWZc/TijqMBPv2PI/AAAAAAAAAn0/MNbNu9IvwWc/s1600/Picture%2B1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="266" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-heQOYcByWZc/TijqMBPv2PI/AAAAAAAAAn0/MNbNu9IvwWc/s400/Picture%2B1.png" /></a><br /><br />The Utopia project will bring 220 rental units and over 20,000 sf of retail to the intersection that serves as the inspiration of this blog's name, which is also one of the busiest in DC. Originally announced back in 2008, the financial market calamity took its toll on JBG's ability to finance the project. However, <a href="http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2011/01/utopia-construction-on-track-for-fall.html">financing is now on track</a>, and the recent departures pave the way for the commencement of construction of the 90 foot high, Eric Colbert-designed building.<br /><br />Utopia will be JBG's second large construction project along that stretch of 14th Street, with their <a href="http://dcdistrict.com/">District Condos</a> project in full swing two blocks south at 14th and S. And it will be <a href="http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/04/development-palooza-its-2007-all-over.html">one of many projects currently ongoing in and around 14th Street</a>, all set to deliver at some time during the next one to three years. (Not included in that post, BTW, are <a href="http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/02/trouble-brewing-for-14th-street-office.html">Giorgio Furioso's office project</a> near 14th and P, and the <a href="http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/07/residential-project-at-15th-and-v-adds.html">recently announced--and HPRB rejected--Level 2 development</a> at 14th and Wallach Place.)<br /><br />In other words: get used to seeing a lot of upturned dirt along 14th Street over the next few years.<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/07/utopia-project-set-to-get-going-as.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-1702735568863844496Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:00:00 +00002011-07-15T13:30:56.627-04:00City Development and Business Ethics Issues Come CallingI usually participate in telephone polls unless I truly do not have the time to do so. A research geek, I think valid surveys are important. I see little harm in answering a few questions when I’m otherwise free, and I always have the option of ending the call if the questions seem inappropriate or drag on too long. That said, I was infuriated by a telephone survey call I received two days ago. Despite my misgivings, my curiosity motivated me to stay on the line. “Who is behind this survey and what do they want?” I thought. Then, as the answers to those questions became clear, I continued to respond to survey items so as to learn what data being collected. <br /><br />The survey began with questions about my opinions of politicians. Do I view Barack Obama very unfavorably, unfavorably, favorably, or very favorably? What about Vincent Gray, Kwame Brown, Marion Barry, Yvette Alexander, Harry Thomas Jr., Michael Brown, Vincent Orange, and Tommy Wells? Oddly, the titles mayor and council member were not included as the names were read. Also strange was the list of politicians itself; why were some CMs omitted? I was asked only one more question about DC politics. What <i>single</i> DC political issue, from a list of more than ten items, was most important to me? As the long list was read and my working memory struggled to keep up, I was initially frustrated that I could choose only issue. Then I was struck by the omission of important issues and inclusion of other issues. Where was transportation? Why was illegal immigration on the list, particularly since it so rarely features in city politics? My discomfort rose: Either this poll was incompetently written or the organization behind it designed the questions to support an agenda. After a brief shift into questions about my shopping habits and opinions of locally operating retail chains all of the remaining questions were about …Walmart. Ah, this call was related to <a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/local-breaking-news/dc/wal-mart-plans-four-stores-for.html">Walmart’s plans to open four stores in DC</a>. <br /><br />This was not a simple survey of public opinion; it was a push poll. After establishing that I knew Walmart planned to open stores in DC and my level of support for these developments, it became immediately clear why I had been asked earlier in the survey to pick the one DC political issue that was most important. (Education is what I selected.) I was asked if I knew that Walmart had given hundreds of thousands of dollars to education efforts in DC and over $100,000 to a local non profit that provides jobs and training for city youths (an organization located in Logan Circle). Following this statement disguised as a question, I was asked If I was “strongly opposed to, opposed to, supportive, or strongly supportive of Walmart?” “Um, based on the information I just received?” I asked. “I can’t elaborate on the question,” the surveyor responded.<br /><br /><i>All </i>of the remaining survey items began with preambles about the positive virtues of Walmart. Did I know that they employed many people? That they made fresh meat and produce available to areas lacking grocery stores? That DC residents spent millions last year at Maryland and Virginia Walmarts? This “survey” was a read-aloud of press releases and talking points. The only thing not qualifying this call as a one-on-one press conference is that I was asked after each glowing report of Walmart’s saintliness how I felt about the chain coming to my city. Of course, the survey designers did not provide for a “neutral” or “no opinion” response option for these questions.<br /><br />This survey would be laughably bad if the results were not important. Though I cannot prove that Walmart is behind the call, I think it unlikely that a pro-Walmart citizen group would have the money to engage in such shenanigans or that any DC political group with such cash reserves would risk its credibility by push polling. I have a problem with any corporation calling from home to home to share slanted information about their business operations, but Walmart’s efforts cause me particular concern.<br /><br />At best, I think that this call was being used to test which of Walmart’s talking points will be well received by DC consumers. At worst, the completely statistically invalid data gathered from these calls will be used to influence politician’s feelings about the proposed Walmart stores. I am vividly imagining a Walmart representative saying to a CM, “the vast majority of District residents support Walmart’s development plans. I have the survey data to prove it.” In fact, in response to Living Wages, Healthy Communities' request that Walmart sign a community benefit agreement, Steve Restivo, a Walmart spokesman said, “Unfortunately, some of the louder voices in this discussion just don't represent the majority opinion of D.C. residents" (<a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/2011/04/walmart-dc-foes-release-demands.html">The Washington Business Journal</a>). I previously wondered how he could trot out the word “majority” with any confidence.<br /><br />Commentariat: Have any of you received such calls? If so, how do you feel about it? <br /><br />I believe that Walmart opening in DC is inevitable, and the point of this post is not to discuss the litany of issues at play there. What is within my control, though, is to draw attention to Walmart's unethical PR efforts. I can also ask the council members who represent me to negotiate with Walmart in a way that preserves the interests of the citizens of the District.<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/07/city-development-and-business-ethics.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (14th & You)12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-7260350989115878292Fri, 08 Jul 2011 14:38:00 +00002011-07-08T10:38:23.340-04:00fireU streetu wine and beerFire guts U Street wine shop, dance studio<a href="http://dcist.com/2011/07/two-alarm_fire_hits_u_street_beerwi.php#photo-1">DCist is reporting</a> that a fire swept through the commercial building at 1351 U Street at around 5 AM this morning. The building houses the <b>U Wine and Beer </b>store, as well as a dance and martial arts studio.<br /><br />While no official damage tally is yet available, DCist is reporting that it appears that the wine and beer store suffered "heavy losses" in inventory. <br /><br />U Street had been closed between the 1300 and 1400 blocks this morning for approximately an hour, but has since been reopened.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zka2pZvNhBY/ThcWEMFhlhI/AAAAAAAAAnc/rW5Mj0WTs7c/s1600/U_wine%2Bandbeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="328" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zka2pZvNhBY/ThcWEMFhlhI/AAAAAAAAAnc/rW5Mj0WTs7c/s400/U_wine%2Bandbeer.jpg" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/07/fire-guts-u-street-wine-shop-dance.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-1817087045348836837Thu, 07 Jul 2011 03:48:00 +00002011-07-06T23:48:18.275-04:0015th Streetcondodevelopmentjair lynch associatesv streetwdg architectureResidential project at 15th and V adds to growing list of area projectsLast month, we noted the announcement of a forthcoming residential project at 14th and T set to bring new residents, retail, and some really staid architecture to the 14th Street corridor. Although, as <a href="http://ustreetdirt.wordpress.com/2011/07/05/a-failure-of-imagination/">recently launched blog U Street Dirt</a> (welcome to the blogosphere, guys) reported, the Historic Preservation Review Board didn't look to fondly upon architect Eric Colbert's plan for the building, and basically sent him back to the drawing board.<br /><br />Earlier this week, the <a href="http://www.meridianhilldc.org/">Meridian Hill Neighborhood Association blog broke the news</a> that yet another large (by DC standards) residential project is forthcoming, this one for the parking lot of the Paul Revere Dunbar Apartment complex at 15th and V streets.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X7w_z6H7Q7Q/ThUr5uwt5fI/AAAAAAAAAnM/fxF4W4seYH4/s1600/Picture%2B6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="229" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X7w_z6H7Q7Q/ThUr5uwt5fI/AAAAAAAAAnM/fxF4W4seYH4/s400/Picture%2B6.png" /></a><br /><br />The project, which is being developed by Jair Lynch Associates and was designed by WDG Architecture PLLC, is proposed to stand 9 stories tall and will contain 96 units. It does not appear that any ground level retail will be included as part of the plan, but two levels of underground parking will be included.<br /><br />Pardon us, if you will, but the rendering for this project looks remarkably similar to a number of residential buildings that have either been proposed, are under construction, or have been built throughout the neighborhood in recent years. In fact, it doesn't look tremendously dissimilar to the Colbert-designed building that was just rejected by HPRB (although, it should be noted, HPRB personnel had other, specific reasons for rejecting the 14th and T building--namely, its size in relation to nearby structures.)<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WI1-8XnUo2c/ThUsDWFC-yI/AAAAAAAAAnU/1uG9pp5bLXQ/s1600/Picture%2B7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="251" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WI1-8XnUo2c/ThUsDWFC-yI/AAAAAAAAAnU/1uG9pp5bLXQ/s400/Picture%2B7.png" /></a><br /><br />According to Jair Lynch, the senior citizen residents of the Dunbar building have given their full support to the project, which will also include a complete renovation of the existing Dunbar building.<br /><br />The plans for the building are currently with HPRB, who could discuss and vote on the matter as soon as their <a href="http://planning.dc.gov/DC/Planning/Historic+Preservation/About+HPO+&+HPRB/Who+We+Are/Historic+Preservation+Review+Board/Meeting+Calendar">July 28 hearing</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/07/residential-project-at-15th-and-v-adds.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-3134075597558069386Thu, 07 Jul 2011 03:26:00 +00002011-07-06T23:26:22.674-04:00DDOTparkingStreetscapeU streetDDOT set to tackle U Street reconstruction projectAnyone who has ever driven, ridden or cycled along U Street NW knows that it can be a bone-jarring ride. And anyone who has tried to navigate U Street's crowded, narrow sidewalks, particularly during busy times of the day or night, knows that it can seem like an obstacle course. This fall, DDOT aims to fix that when it kicks-off its reconstruction project of U Street between 9th Street NW and Florida Ave NW.<br /><br />Eric Fidler over at Greater Greater Washington <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/10905/u-streets-worst-pedestrian-hazards-will-soon-disappear/">has done an excellent overview of the project</a>, which I won't repeat here. But there are a few details of the project that are worth calling out.<br /><br />Perhaps the most significant aspect of the project is that DDOT is guaranteeing a four foot wide sidewalk minimum throughout the length of the street. Where less than four feet of sidewalk currently exists--such as along the 1300 block of U Street, where the stairs of several buildings make traversing that portion of the sidewalk a single-procession affair, DDOT will eliminate parking on that section of U Street and extend the sidewalk into what is currently the roadway.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecbMZrwi0ts/ThUmWAoTqHI/AAAAAAAAAm0/nFC56hb-Ltc/s1600/Picture%2B4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="239" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecbMZrwi0ts/ThUmWAoTqHI/AAAAAAAAAm0/nFC56hb-Ltc/s400/Picture%2B4.png" /></a><br /><br />Anyone who has ever been bounced into the roadway to avoid an oncoming group of pedestrians (or drunk, rowdy co-eds) will certainly appreciate the importance of this enhancement.<br /><br />At the intersection of 16th, U and New Hampshire, a notoriously bad intersection for anyone who has to cross it, DDOT will be installing buildouts to reduce the distance that pedestrians must travel. Eric Fidler also notes the elimination of so-called "slip lanes" on New Hampshire, which will help cut down on speeding vehicles and provide additional pedestrian safety.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ESE6NFEKN6Y/ThUmgNYYE1I/AAAAAAAAAm8/R9ywb5FTmuY/s1600/Picture%2B3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="363" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ESE6NFEKN6Y/ThUmgNYYE1I/AAAAAAAAAm8/R9ywb5FTmuY/s400/Picture%2B3.png" /></a><br /><br />On the north side of the 1700 block (the residential block), an exceedingly narrow and choppy sidewalk will be replaced and extended outward, with the casualty being the loss of a number of parking spaces along that portion of the street.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3el6nJ8jGO0/ThUmnovS7GI/AAAAAAAAAnE/-_xAz6vYNWo/s1600/Picture%2B5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="220" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3el6nJ8jGO0/ThUmnovS7GI/AAAAAAAAAnE/-_xAz6vYNWo/s400/Picture%2B5.png" /></a><br /><br />This work is of course all in addition to repaving the the length of U Street, replacing gutters and, along the western portion, replacing the water main. This is not an official "streetscape" project, which means that many of the decorative flourishes found on recently completed streetscape projects such as H Street and 18th Street won't be found along U. Additionally, in spite of plans to eventually run a streetcar line along U Street, streetcar tracks will not be included as part of ths project.<br /><br />The reconstruction project is set to commence this fall, and will begin with the eastern portion of the street between 9th and 14th street. This phase of the project is anticipated to last 9 months, followed by phase two between 14th and Florida Ave., which will commence at the completion of phase one of the U Street project as well as the 18th Street project currently ongoing in Adams Morgan.<br /><br />For more details, check out the post on <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/10905/u-streets-worst-pedestrian-hazards-will-soon-disappear/">Greater Greater Washington</a>, or head over to DDOT's website for the project, <a href="http://www.ustreetnwupgrade.com/">www.ustreetnwupgrade.com</a>, where they have been kind enough to include a link to this blog.<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/07/ddot-set-to-tackle-u-street.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-546698596049993293Wed, 06 Jul 2011 18:12:00 +00002011-07-06T14:23:17.913-04:00anc2fcalifornia tortillastudio theaterANC2F Meeting tonight: Tortilla Coast, Studio Theater banners on agendaIt's a pretty quiet agenda for <a href="http://www.anc2f.org/?btnResults=Results">ANC2F's</a> monthly meeting tonight at the Washington Plaza Hotel at Thomas Circle. Highlights include a discussion related to <s>California Tortilla's</s> Tortilla Coast's liquor license (you may recall that the Capitol Hill tex-Mex restaurant <a href="http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/04/tortilla-coast-coming-to-15th-and-p-and.html">is opening a second location</a> in the former McCormick Paints space at 15th and P streets).<br /><br />Other items of note include a discussion related to supporting another year of banner hanging for the Studio Theater (likely to be a no-brainer), and a discussion from the Community Development Committee related to a traffic mitigationplan for Pepco's O Street substation.<br /><br />The full agenda is below. As with all ANC2F meetings, the meeting will begin at 7 PM. Also, the ANC will not be meeting in August, so this is your last chance for two months to air your grievances.<br /><br /><i>ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 2F REGULAR MONTHLY PUBLIC<br />MEETING Wednesday, July 6, 2011 – 7:00 PM<br />WASHINGTON PLAZA HOTEL – 10 THOMAS CIRCLE, NW<br /><br /><br />AGENDA<br /><br /><br />COMMUNITY FORUM<br /><br />Call to Order – 7:00<br />Commissioner Announcements – 7:00<br />Report from Executive Office of the Mayor – 7:00<br />Report from Office of Jack Evans, City Council Member, Ward 2-0 – 7:00<br />PSA 307 Report – Metropolitan Police Department, 3D – 7:10<br />DDOT Report – Ward 2 Transportation Planner – 7:25<br />Community Announcements – 7:30<br /><br />-10 Minute Recess-<br /><br />Business Meeting<br /><br />Approval of Agenda – 7:40<br /><br />Approval of Minutes of Meeting of June 1, 2011 – 7:40 <br />DCHSEMA/Street Closures – 7:50<br /><br />14th Annual Leukemia & Lymphoma Light the Night Walk <br />DC Road Runners and DVLEAP <br />ABRA – 8:00<br /><br />Tortilla Coast Street, 1454 P Street NW- New License Petition Date: 7/11/11 Hearing Date: 7/25/11 <br /><br />DDOT – 8:15<br /><br />Studio Theatre- Pole Banners <br />Crime and Public Safety Committee (Bryan Goodman) – 8:20<br />Arts Overlay Committee (Andrea Doughty) – 8:25<br /><br />Community Development Committee (Mike Benardo, Chair) – 8:30<br /><br />1211 10th Street, NW Condo Conversion <br />1427 Rhode Island Ave- Variance Relief <br />Pepco O Street Substation Traffic Control Plan <br />1309 Q Street- two unit condo conversion <br />Arts Overlay Committee – 8:40<br />New Business – 8:45<br /><br />Department of Housing and Community Development’s proposed funding of 1417 N Street Northwest DC Tenants Association (A.K.A. Norwood Tenants Association) <br />Treasurer’s Report (Sam Goekjian, Treasurer) – 8:55<br /><br />Approval of Expenditures <br />Adjournment – 9:00<br /><br />NOTICE: The agenda attached to this notice of meeting is provided by ANC 2F in advance of its public meetings contains matters that are expected to come before the meeting. It is, however, subject to formal adoption by the ANC at the meeting, which may result in additions or deletions to the draft. Individuals who may have official business before the ANC or persons with interests in specific matters are advised to contact the Executive Director or a Commissioner in advance of the meeting. See www.ANC2F.org for contact information</i><div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/07/anc2f-meeting-tonight-california.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-4191760597693882829Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:15:00 +00002011-06-27T17:13:06.075-04:00capital bikesharecargreen lineMetroMetro bustransittransportationTransportation in LoganA few things caused me to ponder transportation issues lately. The first is my own increasing frustration when trying to park my car. The second was<a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/10986/metro-sprawl-misses-better-opportunities-in-the-core/"> a post at Greater Greater Washington advocating more infill stations on Metro </a>rather than suburban train sprawl.<br /><br />I could feel the cold, judgemental stares of some readers even as I typed that I find parking frustrating. Yes, I drive almost daily. Let me explain: I can drive to work in about 35 minutes, but commuting by bus and train would be a 90 minute ordeal, requiring that I leave home shortly after 6 a.m. As I am not a morning person and my chosen profession is teaching sixth graders, this commute scenario conjures up visions of a <span style="font-style: italic;">Lord-of-the-Flies</span>-like scene in my classroom as my students and I become progressively more and more exhausted throughout the week. Even in my wildest fantasies of fitness, biking would be a similar time drain. Granted, though my morning commute by car is relatively fast, my evening commute is hairier. On truly ugly nights, it can take 75 minutes, if I include the time it takes for me to get parked at home in Logan.<br /><br />Mr. 14th &amp; You also has a commute conundrum. He works about a mile from home, which is great. The conundrum part is that there is no Metro or MetroBus that will get him to work. So Mr. 14th &amp; You takes a Capital Bikeshare bike (when one is available) and gets to work in about 10 minutes. Absent an available bike to let, Mr. 14th &amp; You walks to work. When attired in a suit on a hot or wet day, the commute that otherwise seems like a lovely opportunity for some light exercise becomes a 20 minute slog. Though cabs are certainly an option, the price of a round-trip fare and tips is comparable to the cost of using a parking garage for the day.<br /><br />Despite these (minor) commuting challenges, both Mr. 14th &amp; You and I love our jobs and love our apartment. Depending on the day, I mostly accept the trade-offs of life in a vital urban area. I offer these scenarios not as complaints. These are the daily journeys that our household makes for better or worse.<br /><br />Now, let me get to the other reason why I have been thinking about transportation options. While reading the above-mentioned post on Greater Greater Washington, I noticed the following comment from Tom Coumaris: "I live at 14th and S and Metrorail is worthless to me except for DCA." Other GGW readers jumped on Tom for this statement. One retort was, "14th and S NW? 3 blocks from the U Street Station? How is that worthless?" This back-and-forth got me thinking. How often do Mr. 14th &amp; You and I use Metro? How often <span style="font-style: italic;">could</span> we use it.<br /><br />As it would be for many Logan/U St. residents, the U Street stop on the Green Line is our closest Metro station. My opinion, informed by eight years of experience riding the Green Line from U Street is that it rarely offers a time benefit over other alternatives. The Circulator gets me to DC USA faster than walking to U Street, awaiting a train, and riding one stop. Even driving will get me to CoHi and parked within 15 minutes for very little money. Metro <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> a great way to get to Penn Quarter, but cycling is still faster. Where time really starts to drag, though, is when one attempts to transfer to the Red or Blue/Orange Lines from the Green Line. In such cases, I will typically begin my trip by walking to Dupont Circle or McPherson Square, respectively. Why do I walk to McPherson? Because, if I jaywalk judiciously, I can keep pace with a bus from 14th and R to 14th and L during rush hour. When one factors in waiting for the bus to arrive, walking almost always saves time.<br /><br />Speaking of the bus, it's mostly off my radar. Though I can understand the utility of using Metrobus to commute north-south along 14th or 16 streets, it doesn't get me many places where I need to be. Two summers ago as a grad student at GW, I thought I'd finally make friends with the bus. Alas, the WMATA trip planner said it would take me either a bus to Metro tranfer or two bus lines to make that 1.8 mile trip. Total trip time was optimistically estimated at 31-33 minutes by WMATA and 25 to 27 minutes by Google Maps (assuming the bus was one time, heh). Mr. 14th &amp; You, in a push to be an enlightened non-car-dependent urban dweller, once recommended that we take the bus to Georgetown. We spent 15 minutes sitting on G2 bus at 14th and P awaiting a driver shift change that day. Once the bus finally achieved forward momentum, we stopped on the 1500 block, the 1600 block, AND the 1700 block. All members of our party agreed that taking a cab home would be wise.<br /><br />So the answers to my own questions are that Mr. 14th &amp; You and I might go weeks between using Metro and Metrobus even if we tried to use them more often. Fortunately, walking and driving are typically convenient for us. I might be better able to leave my car parked if I embraced Capital Bikeshare. I'm still overcoming my fears of urban cycling that stem from the close calls I witness between cars and cyclists every day. Also, though I can ride a bike competently on the tow path, I am easily overstimulated and have a significant lack of large motor coordination. If you ever see what appears to be a tangle of knees and elbows zig-zagging down the road, it likely means that Mrs. 14th &amp; You is now using CaBi.<br /><br />I do understand, though, that we are just one case study of travel habits among Logan Circle households. I'm curious how other residents feel about transportation options along 14th and U Streets. We have more choices in transportation than many of our DC neighbors, not to mention residents of other cities. Trends in parking space utilization at new condo developments certainly seem to show that many folks are giving up cars in the city. Do you feel like you have been able to get away from using a car? Have you tried to avoid using a car and been frustrated by the experience? If you were being 100 percent selfish, how would you re-align existing transportation options to better serve Logan residents? <br /><br />P.S.: Yes, this post was penned by the Mrs. 14th &amp; You, the very same woman who walked off of blog duty about two years ago to go back to school and change careers. You may see some more of my ramblings between now and the start of the school year.<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/06/transportation-in-logan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (14th & You)38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-8084706576837153543Sun, 26 Jun 2011 21:58:00 +00002011-06-26T18:00:01.858-04:0014th Streetcitycentercrimejeff blacklost societypleasant plainsU streetWeekly wrap-up: Lost Society opens, Shariah law comes to CityCenter, shooting in Pleasant PlainsScouring the web so you don't have to...here are a few things in and around the neighborhood that Caught our attention.<br /><br /><b>Lost Society opens:</b> This blog's eponymous intersection is getting a new "boutique steakhouse" with a rooftop deck. Begining July 1, <a href="http://www.lostsociety-dc.com/">Lost Society</a>, from the Local 16 team, will commence operations in the building located at 14th and U. The menu is designed by former Smith & Wollensky chef Joseph Evans. <a href="http://dc.eater.com/tags/lost-society">Eater DC has all of the details</a>, including pictures of the interior and the rooftop--which will undoubtedly be full come next Friday evening.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YKBTNZDFYrM/Tger00R_wpI/AAAAAAAAAmk/R0QZ2yW57cg/s1600/IMG_1335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YKBTNZDFYrM/Tger00R_wpI/AAAAAAAAAmk/R0QZ2yW57cg/s400/IMG_1335.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><b>No bars in CityCenter?:</b> Hot on the heels of <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/22/realestate/commercial/washingtons-citycenterdc-project-is-finally-under-way.html?_r=3&scp=7&sq=citycenter&st=cse">a glowing piece from the <i>New York Times</i></a> regarding downtown DC's massive CityCenter project, the <i>City Paper</i>'s Lydia DePillis <a href="http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2011/06/23/who-needs-liquor-laws-when-youve-got-qatar/">examines an interesting yet seemingly glossed-over point</a> regarding it. Seems that a huge chunk of the financing of the $700 million project is comign from a team of Qatari investors. And while it's true that their money is quite good here, it does come with some strings attached: most notably, the project must follow Shariah law. This means no banks, and no businesses that sell alcohol as their primary business. Avoiding banks isn't that big of a deal--after all, developers Archstone and Hines have been quite vocal about not wanting banks to consume commercial space in the projcect, aiming instead for more dynamic retail. But what of the ban on primarily alcohol-selling establishments? Does this mean no liquor stores, bars, clubs or wine shops? It would seem so. Also, what of a restaurant that derives more than 50% of its sales from alcohol--would they be included?<br /><br />Considering that the project sits on multiple acres of city-owned land, the fact that religious tenets might impact the type of retailers that can be recruited into spaces in the project might not sit well with some. For their part, the project's developers are downplaying any potential negative consequences of the Shariah law requirements, and are insisting that their plans for the project's retail space--of which nearly 300k square feet will be available upon the project's completion--will not be impacted by the religious requirements.<br /><br /><b>Four shot--one fatally--near Howard University:</b> Just after yesterday's Caribbean Day parade, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post_now/post/police-id-man-killed-near-parade-route/2011/06/26/AGx7rMmH_blog.html">four individuals were shot</a>, one fatally, in the 700 block of Gresham Place, just off of Georgia Avenue. MPD have indicated that they believe the shooting related to a neighborhood dispute and was not related to the parade or the day's festivities.<br /><br /><b>Business Journal interviews Jeff Black:</b> DC restauranteur Jeff Black will soon be bringing two new enterprises to the space at 1612 14th Street: the Pearl Dive Oyster Bar, and the BlackJack Lounge on the second floor. <a href="http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/an_inside_look_at_jeff_blacks_pearl_oyster_dive_palace/3640">DC UrbanTurf has renderings</a> of the two spaces (including, apparently, a BlackJack bartender who is preparing to fire a weapon). Meanwhile, Missy Frederick at the <i>Business Journal</i> <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/print-edition/2011/06/24/seafood-restaurateur-finally-reels-in.html">has an interview with Black</a>, where he discusses the 12+ years it has taken him to open in Logan, and his plans for both establishments. (Note: the WBJ website is subscription-only.)<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/06/weekly-wrap-up-lost-society-opens.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-5630839956362298998Thu, 23 Jun 2011 02:58:00 +00002011-06-22T22:58:27.044-04:0011th Street14th Streetdevelopmentfrontiers condominiumsmonument realtyIn case you missed it: Monument Realty exploring massive Logan Circle redevelopmentWhile we've been away on a bit of a blogging hiatus (much like the city itself, the 14thandyous slow down a bit during the summer months), there has been a steady stream of news coming into the neighborhood. The most intersting, in our opinion, was <a href="http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2011/06/17/monument-rolls-dice-on-logan-circle-redevelopment/">the story broken last week by Lydia DePillis at the City Paper</a> regarding <a href="http://www.monumentrealty.com/">Monument Realty's</a> potential acquisition and redevelopment of two massive sites in the Logan Circle area.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nePaIpy-ZEs/TgKrc9qQRgI/AAAAAAAAAmc/7CS9tfdwyoA/s1600/Picture%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="265" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nePaIpy-ZEs/TgKrc9qQRgI/AAAAAAAAAmc/7CS9tfdwyoA/s400/Picture%2B2.png" /></a><br /><br />You probably know the Frontiers developments (one located at 14th and Riggs, the other at 11th and N): the series of bland brick townhouses built in that oh-so-lovely 1970s style, each featuring an almost comically massive (by urban neighborhood standards) parking lot. Originally built as public rental housing by the city, the units were eventually sold to private owners in the late 1990s. Today, the units that were originally purchased for around $125,000 are now appraised at upwards of half a million.<br /><br />But in Logan Circle, where new developments are going up practically every day, developments such as the Frontiers aren't exactly aligned with the rest of the neighborhood. So in steps Monument Realty to address that issue.<br /><br />DePillis takes readers through a recent meeting Monument representatives held with members of the Frontier condominium associations about a potential acquisition of the properties. In short, it would look something like this: 80% of the 54 unit owners in the east and west Frontiers associations would have to vote to dissolve the master condo association, and then the east and west associations would have to vote unanimously to dissolve themselves. If that unlikely series of events occurs, Monument is prepared to pay each unit owner over $800,000 for their respective units, along with an assurance to make units available in the new development(s) available to owners who wish to remain in the neighborhood.<br /><br />In all, Monument could end up with one, both, or neither parcel, and end up paying upwards of $40 million to acquire both. (Which tells you how profitable the condo market is these days.)<br /><br />Initially, it's easy to take a cursory look at this situation and proclaim it the clearest example in an ever-lengthening list of perceived attempts to purge Logan and the 14th Street corridor of low- and moderate-income residents. Undoubtedly, if this sale goes through, there will be those pining for the redevelopment of the buidlings along the 1400 block of R street as well.<br /><br />But as with most such issues, the situation is a bit more nuanced than that. After all, receiving an amount equal to 175% of the value of your home is a deal that many people would take. $800,000 would grant you pretty wide latitude to purchase a new property in many areas throughout the city. And, since all units are privately held, and with the complexity of the condominium association governing documents, each individual owner literally has final say as to whether the deal moves forward. And based upon comments made by Monument representatives, they appear prepared for the very real possibility that it won't.<br /><br />Owners also seem to be aware that they're in an advantageous position: the developers came to them, and they basically hold all of the cards. But Monument is unlikely to have endless patience (or pockets) for pursuing the acquisition of the properties. In the meantime, there are 54 condominium owners in Logan Circle who have a lot of thinking (and meeting) to do.<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/06/in-case-you-missed-it-monument-realty.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-3792784863928349962Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:15:00 +00002011-06-14T17:15:07.623-04:00adams-morgancharitycommunity of hopenonprofitHappy hour for a good cause on June 23We don't typically post news or event items related to Adams Morgan (unless, of course, it relates to warnings of 14th Street or U Street becoming the next iteration of that cesspool of drunkeness and debauchery), but today we're making an exception.<br /><br />One of the 14thandyou's favorite nonprofits, Community of Hope, is hosting a "Happy Hour for Hope" next Thursday, June 23 from 5p - 8p. Community of Hope provides some tremendous and much-needed services to individuals and families in central DC. More details about the event are below. If you're planning on being out in Adams-Morgan that evening, please consider stopping by one of the establishments listed below and supporting this very worthwhile organization.<br /><br /><i>Community of Hope will be joining forces with six Adams Morgan restaurants to host Happy Hour for Hope, an event to raise awareness, volunteerism, and funds for our continuing efforts to provide healthcare, housing, and supportive services to low-income and homeless families and individuals in Washington, DC.<br /> <br />Happy Hour for Hope will be held on June 23, 2011 from 5 to 8 p.m. A portion of proceeds from food and drink sales from participating restaurants will go to Community of Hope. <br /> <br />Participating restaurants are<b> Bardia’s New Orleans Café, Bukom Café, Madam’s Organ, The Reef, Savour</b>, and <b>Sutra Lounge</b>.<br /> <br />For more information, check out our website at:<a href=" http://www.communityofhopedc.org/news-and-events/happy-hour-hope"> http://www.communityofhopedc.org/news-and-events/happy-hour-hope</a>. </i><div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/06/happy-hour-for-good-cause-on-june-23.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-4549901057790283125Fri, 10 Jun 2011 02:59:00 +00002011-06-09T23:01:18.540-04:0014th Streetblackjackestadioitalian cinemamatchboxparcproofrestaurantsrogue statested's bulletinU street14th Street Becoming Restaurant Row: Slew of Restaurant NewsA French restaurant, a cousin to Estadio, a sister to Ted's Bulletin, a new Matchbox, and Rogues States burgers 2.0.<br /><br />What do these places all have in common? They all might be on their way to 14th Street.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vV7c5gUzC08/TfGI7TZgGxI/AAAAAAAAAmU/6SQj3SmzzTE/s1600/IMGP1799-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vV7c5gUzC08/TfGI7TZgGxI/AAAAAAAAAmU/6SQj3SmzzTE/s400/IMGP1799-1.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Lydia DePillis, the City Paper's crack Housing Complex reporter, <a href="http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2011/06/09/big-time-philly-restaurant-group-gets-into-d-c-market-other-14th-street-news/">unleashed a slew of news today</a> about new restaurants coming to the neighborhood. Perhaps the biggest piece of news out of all of them is that the notorious "Shirt Laundry" building at 14th and Q, which had been slated to become an Italian restaurant until high renovation and environmental remediation costs got the better of the Whisk Group, is set to become <a href="http://www.parc-restaurant.com/">Parc</a>, a French brasserie from Philadelphia-based Starr Restaurant Group. The apparently deep-pocketed Starr Group is undeterred by the high clean-up costs of the desirable space, and those of you who have strolled by the building recently may have notice that the posters, stickers and handbills have all been sraped away. No timeline that I'm aware of, but I would expect movement there shortly.<br /><br />Up the street and across the block, DePillis is also reporting that two restaurants are close to signing leases in the new District Condos building, although JBG's James Nozar isn't confirming anything yet. First, Mark Kuller of <a href="http://www.proofdc.com/index.php">Proof</a> and <a href="http://estadio-dc.com/">Estadio</a> is said to be signing on for a space there, while the owners of Barracks Row's Ted's Bulletin will be opening up a companion restaurant there as well. <br /><br />Moving up the street a bit more, local pizza joint <a href="http://www.matchboxchinatown.com/">Matchbox</a> will be filling the space that was formerly the home of the Arena Stage warehouse at 14th and T. And, just to top things off, Raymond Mendizabal--whose Rogue States burger spot in Dupont ran into a bit of trouble with the Steptoe & Johnson law firm--<a href="http://dupontcircle.wusa9.com/news/restaurants/owner-rogue-states-dupont-says-burger-shop-will-re-open-later-month-under-new-name/58585">will be opening up the new iteration of his burger spot</a>, Black and Orange, at 1931 14th Street NW, near the intersection of 14th and U.<br /><br />Combined with the recent announcement of the arrival of <a href="http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/06/taylor-gourmet-coming-to-14th-and-t.html">Taylor Gourmet sandwich shop</a>, Jeff Black's <a href="http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/01/blacks-protest-dropped-seafood.html">Pearl Dive Oyster Palace and BlackJack Bar</a> at 1612 14th Street, and the still-anticipated <a href="http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2010/06/italian-shirt-laundry-and-italian.html">Italian Cinema Restaurant</a> down the block...well, is 14th Street going to be anything other than a row of restaurants and furniture stores?<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/06/14th-street-becoming-restaurant-row.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-3747753553538768698Wed, 08 Jun 2011 02:56:00 +00002011-06-07T22:56:49.709-04:00arts overlayazi's cafe; irvine contemporary; anc2fNeighborhood news: Irvine Contemporary to close, Azi's gets a new ownerHere's a couple of news items to pass along:<br /><br /><a href="http://aziscafe.com/">Azi's Cafe</a> in Shaw is getting a new owner. (Initial reports that it was closing ended up not being correct.) Azi, the owner, sold the business--but the coffee shop/cafe concept will remain. It's unclear whether the name will remain the same, since Azi will no longer be involved--although for now that seems to be the case.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yRRuSphuSHc/Te7kzXTTLcI/AAAAAAAAAmM/vpUR4u6kxaA/s1600/Picture%2B1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yRRuSphuSHc/Te7kzXTTLcI/AAAAAAAAAmM/vpUR4u6kxaA/s400/Picture%2B1.png" /></a><br /><br />Those of you who have been in tne neighborhood longer than a couple of years will remember Azi's as one of the businesses that contributed towards changing perceptions of Shaw. While the always-smiling Azi will be missed, it's great that the coffee shop will remain.<br /><br />In other not-so-good news, 14th Street is losing another one of its galleries. From Borderstan, Irvine Contemporary gallery owner Martin Irvine has announced that <a href="http://www.borderstan.com/06/irvine-contemporary-leaving-14th-street-location/">he will be relocating his gallery from 14th Street</a> to an as-yet-undisclosed location. The gallery will close following the closing of the Artist Tribute Exhibition show, which is set to open on July 23.<br /><br />The closing of Irvine represents yet another blow to the 14th Street arts scene, which in the past couple of years has also seen the loss of the Randall Scott Gallery and G Fine Arts. Other arts-related businesses--such as jazz club HR-57--have also left the neighborhood in search of cheaper rents elsewhere. And while the <a href="http://www.anc2f.org/arts/">ANC2F arts overlay committee</a> made recommendations two years ago for steps the city could take to help retain arts-related businesses in the neighborhood, few tangible results have come out of it aside from last year's <a href="http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2010/12/04/arts-district-branding-project-still-running-into-questions/">controversial banner campaign</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/06/neighborhood-news-irvine-contemporary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-1351998409323024273Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:58:00 +00002011-06-01T10:58:09.196-04:0014th Streetfurniture storetaylor gourmetTaylor Gourmet coming to 14th and TA bit of news to pass along this morning: there have been some questions and speculation as to what might open in the space that is being vacated by Ruff & Ready Furnishings (beneath Yoga District). Today we learn the answer:<br /><br />Local sandwich chain <a href="http://taylorgourmet.com/"><b>Taylor Gourmet</b></a>, which prides themselves on their Philly-style hoagies, will be opening up shop in the former furniture store. <a href="http://www.washingtonian.com/blogarticles/19698.html">Washingtonian reports</a> that co-owner Casey Patten is anticipating opening in the fall, but that is of course dependent upon the permitting process and the completion of the renovation of the building (which is not in terrific shape, to say the least.)<br /><br />Although the lease was just signed, taylor has apparently been in negotiations for the space since February.<br /><br />So, those of you who have been pining for a sandwich shop on 14th Street: here it is.<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/06/taylor-gourmet-coming-to-14th-and-t.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-640248292142214410Wed, 01 Jun 2011 02:29:00 +00002011-05-31T22:29:32.442-04:0014th StreetColumbia Heightshappy hourmovarestaurantsU streetutopiaResaurant and Bar update: Happy Hour on its wayWhile we've been away on a (somewhat unanticipated and not particularly enjoyable) "vacation" some restaurant and bar news has crept up that we wanted to pass along:<br /><br />Remember <a href="http://www.movalounge.com/"><b>Mova</b></a>, the former bar on P Street that vacated its space last year amid cries of <a href="http://www.washingtonblade.com/2010/07/23/mova-to-close/">exhorbitant rent in excess of $25,000/month</a>? At the time, owner Babak Movahedi indicated that Mova wasn't closing--it was simply going to relocate.<br /><br />Now it looks like we know where. <a href="http://ustreetgirl.wordpress.com/2011/05/23/bartapas-restaurant-to-open-at-14w/">U Street Girl</a> noticed that there are signs up in the former Bicycle Station space at 14th and W streets for a "martini lounge and tapas-style restaurant" under the name Mova. A tapas lounge would certainly be a departure from Mova's previous incarnation as an upscale gay bar, but sometimes the description of the restaurant/bar on the placard differs from how it will actually operate. (And, yes...another tapas bar, you're thinking? You can't really have too many, you know.)<br /><br /><a href="http://leftforledroit.com/2011/05/two-new-restaurants-a-new-condo-project-and-a-new-committee/">Left for Ledroit</a> has the news about a new bar called <b>Happy Hour</b> to be located above the Islander at 1201 U Street. In addition to the drinks and "light fare" to be sold by the bar, the owners also want to host live bands as well as--wait for it--skiball. THIS might actually be a place I could get excited about, even if the name leaves a bit to be desired in the creative department. (Some day, I'm going to open a bar called "Class C Tavern License". My other idea is for a chic urban lounge called "Solstice" that will only be open twice a year.)<br /><br />Next, some restaurant departure news: <a href="http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2011/05/taco-bell-likely-closing-at-14th-and-u-st-nw-early-next-week/">Prince of Petworth</a> notes that the closing of the KFC/Taco Bell located on 14th between T and U is imminent. This is, of course, to make room for the long-awaited Utopia project at the corner of 14th and U. Guess you're going to have to find a new spot to satisfy that midnight craving for chalupas and absolutely horrible service. Opportunities abound.<br /><br />Finally, it's nice to know that the "OMG the bars iz coming!" scare tactics <a href="http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2011/05/more-scare-tactics-to-oppose-a-local-business-in-columbia-heights-capacity-will-be-14-of-a-thousand/">aren't limited just to Logan/U Street</a>. Columbia Heights: brace yourself.<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/05/resaurant-and-bar-update-happy-hour-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-2811451446008333372Tue, 24 May 2011 23:15:00 +00002011-05-24T19:15:49.893-04:0014th Street1638 14th streetcapital bikesharedevelopmentPN hoffmanverizon building14th and R Bikeshare station moved to make way for constructionIn a further sign that construction on the <a href="http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/04/details-emerge-of-plans-for-verizon.html">PN Hoffman project</a> at the Verizon building at 14th and R is about to get underway, <a href="http://www.capitalbikeshare.com/">Capital Bikeshare</a> workers this morning relocated the station across 14th Street. the station now resides at the northeast corner, in front of the Whitman-Walker clinic.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOtDTIjy0I8/Tdw7m4D6IDI/AAAAAAAAAmA/x-UjAw5FXGg/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="299" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOtDTIjy0I8/Tdw7m4D6IDI/AAAAAAAAAmA/x-UjAw5FXGg/s400/photo.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The PN Hoffman project is one of two significant development projects set to get underway at that corner this summer--the other being the <a href="http://www.bonstra.com/projects.html">Bonstra | Haresign-designed condo project</a> at 1638 14th Street, next door to the AYT Auto Shop.<br /><br />Unfortunately, Bikeshare is not adding any docks to the 14th and R station, despite the fact that it--like most area stations--is devoid of bikes by 8 AM most weekdays.<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/05/14th-and-r-bikeshare-station-moved-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-4686592592415440162Fri, 20 May 2011 14:14:00 +00002011-05-20T10:15:23.646-04:0014th Streetcoffee shopperegrine espressoThis morning's redundant post: Peregrine Espresso likely opening WednesdayAs reported over at <a href="http://www.borderstan.com/05/peregrine-espresso-to-open-next-week/">Borderstan</a> and <a href="http://ustreetgirl.wordpress.com/2011/05/20/peregrine-espresso-set-to-open-soon/">U Street Girl</a> this morning, Peregrine Espresso, the purveyors of fine coffee beverages on Capitol Hill, is set to open their new 14th Street location next week.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oD955YKPgGo/TdZ3YqyucYI/AAAAAAAAAl4/AmLlFM0ORkE/s1600/photo_esp1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="299" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oD955YKPgGo/TdZ3YqyucYI/AAAAAAAAAl4/AmLlFM0ORkE/s400/photo_esp1.JPG" /></a> <br /><br />"Probably Wednesday," said Ryan Jensen, Peregrine's owner, at last night's "sneak peek." Jensen and his team were offering sweet snacks, wine and complimentary coffee to the crowd at the event, which turned into something of a DC blogger caffeine-infused happy hour.<br /><br />Jensen indicated that the Logan Circle location was the first of two additional Peregrine locations that he was looking to open, but was coy when I pressed him about the location of Peregrine #3.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bx2uag1e-kc/TdZ3Dn02OaI/AAAAAAAAAlw/C6eLS5EITO8/s1600/photo_esp2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="299" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bx2uag1e-kc/TdZ3Dn02OaI/AAAAAAAAAlw/C6eLS5EITO8/s400/photo_esp2.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The space inside was clean and well-designed, courtesy of local design firm Aesthetic Answers. Indoor seating appeared to be on the low-end (which could make finding a place to sit down and crank out a blog post a bit challenging), and outdoor seating appeared to be a ways off, pending the receipt of a public space permit.<div class="blogger-post-footer">14th & You
blogging on the hyper local DC politics of the 14th Street Corridor.</div>http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2011/05/this-mornings-redundant-post-peregrine.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mr. 14th & You)3